SUU Community Education Offers Something For All

Resolve to learn something new this year, advance your career, prepare an intriguing meal, or to be more social in the community with educational classes for all at Southern Utah University.

Beginning in March, the Office of Community and Academic Enrichment (CAE) is launching community classes designed for those who love to learn. Community Education classes now open for enrollment will give community members a chance to learn something fun, or begin a new hobby in a short term, affordable class setting.

For those interested in increasing their marketability, upgrading their current resume or polishing their professional skills, Professional Development courses will also be offered. Upon successful completion, an SUU Institutional Certificate will be issued to participants giving area business owners a credible venue for offering employee training.

CAE Executive Director Melynda Thorpe was put in charge of giving back to the community that in 1897 struggled to build the original building, Old Main, that led to the present day SUU campus. By offering programs that lead to personal enrichment, professional advantage and cultural engagement, the community as a whole will benefit, Thorpe said.

The culture of the region is rich, and adding a variety of academic offerings will only enhance the experience of living in this beautiful part of the world, she said. By helping the community to explore their interests, develop a new hobby or skill, and enhance their quality of life everybody wins.

The first classes being offered by CAE are now open for enrollment. They include:

From Blog to Book: In this 12 week course, applicants will learn about the blogging and book industries. By course completion, each participant will have competed a first draft of a book and have established some expertise on their chosen topic.

Travel Spanish: In this 11 week course, participants will learn the basics of the Spanish language for travel situations. This is not a grammar class, rather an instructional Spanish class to become comfortable using the Spanish language in travel situations.

Raising Preschoolers in a Technology Driven World: Learn how to teach young children self-control through games and communication, effective ways to use technology and how and why to limit tech use in this 12 week course.

Energy and Water Efficiency: With some moderate changes, participants will learn how to decrease their water and electricity usage, decrease their monthly bills and help to conserve for future generations in this 11 week course.

Southern Utah Chef Series: This six-part course beginning March features favorite local culinary personalities teaching audience members to prepare and serve up delectable dishes from familiar restaurant menus. Classes will be taught in the amiable setting of the IG Winery with a different chef, baker or locally-owned restaurant being featured every week. Classes can be taken quarterly for a discount, or as a single class.

Media Boot Camp Academy: The Public Relations and Marketing boot camp is designed to introduce both students and professionals to topical best practices in the field of communication, public relations, marketing, advertising, branding, and to encourage dialogue on ideas which best exemplify ethical practices in the profession in a six-session workshop.

Adobe Creative Suite: Course participants will learn the basics of Adobe Creative Cloud software, such as basic photo touch-up, correction, cropping, and resolution. InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Acrobat Pro, and other Adobe Suite products, will be taught depending on the needs and interests of class members in this four week course.

Math Made Easy (High School Students): In six weeks, high school students will learn how better take notes, prepare for tests and work through the subjects they are struggling with in a stress-free group setting with guidance from professional tutors.

Social Dancing: Participants will learn the basics of dancing, including footwork, frame and hold, movement, count and line of dance. Dances originate from all over the world and will include a brief history, including the foxtrot, waltz, tango, rhumba, the Cha Cha and swing techniques.

For more information on community education classes, visit www.suu.edu/siel/cae, email communityeducation@suu.edu , call SUU CAE at (435) 865-8259, or stop by the office at 136 W. University Boulevard, Office 003, Cedar City, Utah.